Abstract: Devices and methods for improving vision are described. The vision of a person can be corrected using a corneal onlay or a lens positioned between an epithelial cell layer and Bowman's membrane of the person's eye. Wavefront aberrations are measured for the person's eye or eyes, and the aberrations are used to shape the corneal onlay to provide a desired vision correction power, or to shape the person's cornea.

Abstract: The present contact lens treating systems and methods effectively remove extractable materials from contact lenses, for example, newly formed contact lenses, so that the lenses can be safely and conveniently worn, for example, for extended periods of time. Such treatment methods and the present extraction medium reprocessing methods allow lens treatment while reducing extraction medium losses, thereby reducing costs of these materials and the burden of such treatment on the environment. The present methods can also be useful for manufacturing a heat stabilized contact lens, for example, a water swelled contact lens including a Vitamin E component which is insoluble in the lens in a hydrated state.

Abstract: Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.

Abstract: An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) composition and a process for the manufacture of hydrogel contact lens using the invention material. The polymeric materials are formed by polymerization of: (1) an unsaturated alkyl(meth)acrylate or its derivatives such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as the principle monomer; (2) optionally vinyl containing comonomer(s) to enhance the resulting hydrogel water absorbing capability; (3) polymerizable multi-functional crosslinking agent(s); (4) an irradiation initiator and/or thermal initiator; (5) optionally other additives to impart the resulting hydrogel specific properties such as ultra-violet blocking ability and handling colors; in the presence of a soluble, hydrophilic IPN agent such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (PEOX) with a specific molecular weight range.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as corneal contact lenses, include a lens body made of a composition including a lens body made of a composition including a first crosslinked polymer material which is water swellable, and a second polymeric material, other than the first material, selected from water soluble polymeric materials, water swellable polymeric materials and mixtures thereof. The second material is physically immobilized by the first material. Such lenses provide increased water retention and/or increased water content and/or increased modulus and/or reduced friction which increases lens wearer comfort. Compositions and methods for providing such lenses and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: An automated lens inspection system that images the edge and surface of an ophthalmic lens transmits light through the ophthalmic lens to a camera to create a complete digital image of the lens edge or lens surface. The digitized image(s) is(are) analyzed to detect defects or abnormalities of the ophthalmic lens. Methods of inspecting ophthalmic lenses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Contact lenses for use in eyes are provided and include a lens body and a plurality of microchannels defined in a posterior face of the lens body. The microchannels are structured to promote effective tear fluid exchange between an exposed surface of the eye and a surface of the eye covered by the lens body. Each of the microchannels preferably includes a substantially junctionless, convex surface along a major portion of a length of the microchannel.

Abstract: Methods of sterilizing silicone hydrogel contact lenses include exposing one or more silicone hydrogel contact lenses to high energy radiation, such as gamma radiation or electron beam radiation. Sterilized contact lens packages containing such silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also described.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are provided which have reduced modulus and contact angle properties, and which have acceptable wettabilities for use in daily wear and extended or continuous wear applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. Certain of the present systems include a contact lens mold forming station, a station for filling a contact lens mold section with a lens precursor composition and for placing a second mold section on the filled mold section to form a contact lens mold assembly, a curing station for forming a contact lens, a mold assembly separation station, and an extraction/hydration station. Certain of the present methods include forming a plurality of mold sections, placing a lens precursor composition on a surface of a first mold section, placing a second mold section on the first mold section, polymerizing the lens precursor composition, separating the first and second mold sections, removing the silicone hydrogel contact lens from one of the mold sections, extracting extractable components from the contact lens, and hydrating the contact lens.

Abstract: Contact lenses, such as silicone hydrogel contact lenses, which are effective in reducing conjunctival pressure, and conjunctival epithelial flap formation or occurrence of a lens wearer's eye, and methods of reducing conjunctival pressure by a contact lens and/or formation of conjunctival epithelial flap formation are described. The present contact lenses reduce the interaction and/or pressure of the contact lens, or portion thereof, with or on the conjunctiva of a lens wearer's eye.

Abstract: Compositions, such as lens precursor compositions, and methods for producing lens precursor compositions have been invented. The present methods include forming a premix composition, which can include one or more monomeric components, forming a macromer composition, which includes one or more silicon containing macromers, forming a premix/initiator composition, which can include a photoinitiator, and contacting the premix/initiator composition with the macromer composition to form a polymerizable monomer-containing composition useful in the production of producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating mold sections, removing a lens product from the separated mold sections, and transferring the lens product to a processing tray are provided and include contacting assembled mold sections with a warm fluid to break fused portions between the mold sections, and using one or more wedge shaped elements to pry apart and separate the mold sections, one from the other. A vacuum head having multiple vacuum ports is employed for lifting the newly molded lens product from a mold section and for releasing the lens from the vacuum head into a processing tray. A cylinder of flowing air directed around the circumference of the lens is effective to maintain the lens in an unfolded position as the lens is being released into the processing tray. A tray set including multiple trays holding multiple lenses is provided and includes features for enabling visual and/or mechanical distinction of the trays and lenses held thereby.

Abstract: Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.

Abstract: A blister package housing a contact lens is described. The package generally includes a base member including a cavity having a bottom surface, for containing a contact lens immersed in a liquid medium. The base member can include a grip region including a curved top surface shaped to accommodate a thumb and a curved bottom surface shaped to accommodate an inner curve of a forefinger. Silicone hydrogel contact lenses located in the liquid medium have a reduced tendency to stick to the bottom surface of the cavity without requiring a surfactant and/or a surface modification of the bottom surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, for example, soft, extended wear silicone hydrogel contact lenses, are provided. The systems generally include a housing having an illuminated chamber, a carrier, for example a tray, movable in the illuminated chamber from an inlet portion to an outlet portion of the housing, and the tray configured to carry a plurality of contact lens molds. Polymerizing light energy is provided, for example, by multiple fluorescent lamps, to the molds at an intensity effective to at least initiate polymerization of a monomer composition located in each of the molds. The light may be illuminated onto two opposing sides of each mold. In some cases, the intensity of the light provided to one side of the mold may be different to the light intensity provided to the opposing side of the mold. In addition, the system may include features that are effective to provide for an instantaneous start and an instantaneous end to the light induced cure of the monomer in the molds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making an ophthalmic lens. Apparatus are provided for filling contact lens shaped cavities of contact lens molding assemblies. Methods of coupling and fusing contact lens mold sections are also provided and generally include providing first and second mold sections which when coupled together are effective to form a lens-shaped cavity and contact regions between the mold sections. One or both of the mold sections may include one or more recessed regions or projections which provide areas of non-fusion and areas of fusion, respectively, when the mold sections have been filled with a contact lens precursor material and are fused together, for example, by means of focused ultrasound energy.